Lunar New Year 2020

The Lunar New Year is celebrated by more than 20% of the world. It’s the most important holiday in China and to many Asian people all over the planet.

Chinese New Year, Spring Festival or Lunar New Year ranges from January 21 to February 20. In 2020, it occurs on 25 January. Since the date of the Lunar New Year is determined by the Lunar Calendar, unlike western holidays such as Thanksgiving or Christmas, when you try to calculate it with the solar (Gregorian) calendar, the date is all over the place.

The Spring Festival was originally a ceremonial day to pray to gods for a good planting and harvest season. As an agrarian society, the harvest was everything. People also prayed to their ancestors, as they were treated as gods.

Traditionally, red packets are given to children on Chinese New Year. Also called red packets or pockets, they include money. This money is supposed to help transfer fortune from the elders to the kids. They can also be given between bosses and employees, co-workers, and friends.

2020 Chinese New Year Calendar:

17 – 24 January 2020: Little Year (preparations for New Year)

25 January – 4 February 2020: Spring Festival (Chinese New Year)

5 – 8 February 2020: Lantern Festival

Year of the Rat:

Every year the Chinese lunar calendar has a zodiac animal. 2020’s animal is the rat. The Rat is the first of all zodiac animals. According to one myth, the Jade Emperor said the order would be decided by the order in which they arrived to his party. The Rat tricked the Ox into giving him a ride. Then, just as they arrived at the finish line, Rat jumped down and landed ahead of Ox, becoming first.

In Chinese culture, rats were seen as a sign of wealth and surplus. Because of their reproduction rate, married couples also prayed to them for children.

Optimistic and energetic, people born in the Rat year are likeable by all. They are sensitive to other’s emotions but are stubborn with their opinion. Their personality is kind, but due to weak communication skills, their words may seem impolite and rude.

Years of the Rat are people born in: 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020

At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.

Image Source: Chinesenewyear.net website

SUBSCRIBE

Want to get all the latest events and activities straight to your inbox?

Subscribe to our weekly email newsletter below to keep up to date with our latest posts and find out all the best events & activities for Adelaide families. Newsletters are only sent once a week, and you may sometimes get a special offer exclusively for our subscribers only!